Top Electric Bikes

Green tech guide MetaEfficient has two guides to new electric bikes—one that reviews Schwinn's latest offerings, and another that pushes a collection of European-made bikes. The eZee electric bike, made in South Africa but available here, can help riders with hills, cruise for miles on a single charge or even race faster, depending on the model. They range in price from $1,150 to $2,200. The bikes are ideal for short-range city commuters, but at that price, you'd probably want to wheel them inside, and clear some extra space in your cube, lest some green-minded thief ride off with it.—Gregory Mone

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Gas prices at this time in Lexington, KY are around $2.00 a gal. However, the oil companies hook us and then have us pay more for gas inn cycles. I don't trust them and I will continue to ride my electric bike as much as possible.

There are several well designed quality electric bikes now in production but the best brand of the bunch, in my opinion, are the eZee models. Value for price is excellent relative to the other bikes we have seen.

The quality is excellent, they are using the latest technology (e.g. Although “Lithium Ion” batteries are considered to the best power source by most, eZee (which had used Lithium Ion) has now gone to the new “Lithium Polymer” on most if not all of their bikes which delivers better performance, equal battery life, yet weighs approx. 35% less.

My wife and I have just purchased two of them; the “eZee Cadence” for myself and the “eZee Slope Step Thru” model for her. Both are of similar weight and performance. We have put many miles on them and couldn’t be any more pleased with our investment.

The Ezee’s offer the choice of three modes of operation 1. pedal only, 2. throttle controlled electric motor power assist while pedaling, 3. throttle controlled electric motor power only. The top speed is 20 MPH with a range of 20 to 30 miles dependent on rider weight and the terrain.

Many “hardcore” bicyclist like to knock the electric bikes and I understand their philosophy, but for the remaining 95% of us who are out to get exersize while enjoying the benefits of nature and the great outdoors, (while not concerning ourselves with elapsed times) these bikes are ideal. How many of you have ruled out a particular path or road because of an extra steep or long hill. With these bikes you can choose to pedal the hill using just enough power assist to allow you to make it to the top.

The first electric bicycle powered completely by the sun: The Canadian designed E-V Sunny Bicycle has solar panels built directly into the wheels, which provide a continual charge to the batteries. The E-V Sunny travels at a top speed of 30kph and will run for almost 20 hours between full charges. An ideal way to get around in the CBD and available now for $1295 CAD. No more excuses. On your bike!

I have been looking into electric bikes for several months and I became convinced that Veloteq has the best product available. I bought one (a Cavalier) a month ago and am VERY pleased. It is comfortable, easy, and fun to ride. It is almost silent, has no emissions, and gets good range.

I sell Veloteq scooters and am very pleased with their quality and how happy my customers are with their scooters. I have experimented with many other scooter style electric bikes before and was always dissapointed. Veloteq was brilliant for using the GT motor which does a lot better on hills then most hub motors.

Has electric bikes works along with the original bicycle gears for great hill climbing torque and at the same time excellent speed for flat land riding. 2008 has proven to be a bumper year for electric bicycles. Amazon.com says sales of electric bikes surged more than 60% percent in July from a year earlier. People are finding out about the convenience and versatility of electric bikes.

Electric bikes are here to stay! For now, they’re a much more viable option than an electric car. The technology has improved drastically - with lower overall weight, longer ranges and extended battery life. At the same time, prices continue to drop. These days, you can get an entry level electric bike for $499!

Electric bikes are designed for one person carrying light cargo. Clean, quiet and efficient, electric bikes are great for short trips and errands of up to 10 miles. Electric bicycles may not be right for people with mobility or balance difficulties, so there are electric tricycles that can come to the rescue. Some electric bikes are very space efficient as well. You can fold them up and put them in a car trunk or underneath a bus seat when needed. Put a folding electric bike in your boat or RV for that weekend getaway. No matter your want or need, there is sure the electric bike to suit your lifestyle and recreational ambitions.

After trying out and comparing many different ebikes over a 4 month period, I purchased a Pedego Comfort Cruiser. I have been riding it to work 5 days a week for about 24 miles round trip. I am exceedingly happy with the Pedego. I have ridden it as far as 38 miles without any discomfort. I carry a spare battery in my backpack on trips beyond 20 miles. I charge the battery at work for 4 hours and I am charged for the trip home, so I don't carry a spare battery.

If I drive my car to work, it takes at least 20 minutes. On my ebike, I get to work in 35 minutes. I keep in shape and save money!

I have been looking into electric bikes for several months and I became convinced that Veloteq has the best product available. I bought one (a Cavalier) a month ago and am VERY pleased. It is comfortable, easy, and fun to ride. It is almost silent, has no emissions, and gets good range.

Today I was randomly looking over my Amazon profile, and found a list I made of products that help build fine-motor skills in babies, toddlers, and children. I wrote it in 2007 when Jake was 5 and in still in Occupational Therapy - we were really focusing at the time on his fine motor skills. I owe a lot of what I know about such things to our lovely O.T. Rachael, and to many of the books I have listed to the right.

I think a lot of people would be surprised how easy it is to start including fine-motor activities in playtime . . . especially since so many really fun things help to build those skills! Many of you are probably already doing some of these activities with your children and not realizing how great they are for development.